Huge Hispanic population and culture make it feel like you were outside of the U.S.. But many find that this exact culture makes most Americans uncomfortable because it is different. Those who don't speak Spanish can't deal with hearing it all over the city, with language being the number one problem most Americans have with Miami.

But what about all other non-Spanish speaking groups in Miami? They still contribute to the overall culture in Miami without having Spanish as their language. But many Americans still feel like their culture is not American culture.

I grew up in Miami and can say that being bilingual is something that is of great advantage. I feel like speaking Spanish while others who don't are around is rude. And also agree that speaking the official language of the country you are in is a must.

I find that Miami is a city that has evolved into it's own, and just because it is not your typical American city it is still American. The United States is changing fast, some say for the better, and some say for the worst.

I wrote this to find out more opinions on Miami and Hispanic culture in the U.S., because these are important parts of American culture.

If avoidable, that statement is true for all languages. ESPECIALLY if you're talking ABOUT the person who doesn't understand.

Quoting AA767400 (Thread starter):I wrote this to find out more opinions on Miami and Hispanic culture in the U.S., because these are important parts of American culture.

I've not visited the city, however i was surprised at the airport. Everywhere there were signs in spanish. I Even tried to ask a porter to help me with my bag and i wasn't sure he understood me correctly.

I'm not so arrogant to expect everyone to speak the same language of me but it definatly threw me off guard because i was in "America" not Spain. Then again, It didnt really get to me for long and i just accepted it and moved on to the hotel.

I've never been in Miami. From a visitor's perspective, I wouldn't have any difficulty with the concept that it is multilingual and multicultural.

However, the question is not so clear as to whether I would feel as comfortable if I were to live there. I would have to think about how I would react if I were to be faced with cultural influences fairly alien to me on a daily basis. I think that I would eventually start feeling a bit of alienation from all the non-Anglo influences, and I say this without any particular point of pride. Speaking frankly, I'm not entirely comfortable seeing places in Los Angeles where I can't read the store signs because they're in a different language; and I feel that there is a certain distancing that people engender when they speak in a non-English language in public. I wonder if this can be avoided?

It's interesting to me that, as a visitor, I would perceive things quite differently in that way. It makes me question the truth of the idea of multiculturalism even as to the putatively "harmless" aspect of it, when it comes down to it, and this is even though I would like to believe that a dash of multiculturalism is a beneficial thing.

Generally speaking, I am happy to live in Southern California, with the exceptions noted above. I would imagine that living in Miami would be fairly similar.

Quoting AerospaceFan (Reply 2):Speaking frankly, I'm not entirely comfortable seeing places in Los Angeles where I can't read the store signs because they're in a different language; and I feel that there is a certain distancing that people engender when they speak in a non-English language in public. I wonder if this can be avoided?

You have some problems. I speak Polish to friends and family most of the time in public or whenever the hell I damn well please. I dont see what the distancing is. Every city in America has this and I see nothing wrong with it. Chicago has Polish, Spanish, Serbian...Detroit Arabic and Miami Spanish. I dont see how you can feel uncomfortable with such a thing as a store sign in a different language.

Quoting LOT767-300ER (Reply 3):Every city in America has this and I see nothing wrong with it. Chicago has Polish, Spanish, Serbian...Detroit Arabic and Miami Spanish. I dont see how you can feel uncomfortable with such a thing as a store sign in a different language.

It's simply a matter of practicality. How should I figure out whether a store has what I want, for example, if I can't even tell what it's selling?

Quoting AerospaceFan (Reply 4):It's simply a matter of practicality. How should I figure out whether a store has what I want, for example, if I can't even tell what it's selling?

So youre saying a store should have something written in English for your convenience when most people in that area would rather have it in their language? Obviously youre not the customer who that store is focusing on if you cant read it.

I do the same in Spanish. I can't help but speak in their native language especially if they don't understand when I speak to them in English.

But my family is from Puerto Rico where both English and Spanish are official, and they fly back and forth between the mainland and Puerto Rico often. So when it comes to that generation learning English completely is a hard objective. Especially when you frequent both worlds.

AF, perhaps you simply have a deep-seated insecurity about this sort of thing.

I've lived in Japan for two years and could easily complain about the non-anglo influences manifested before me on a daily basis. Guess what? I don't...because I choose to be here. (Incredibly, other expats do complain about that very thing...then go back where ya came from!)

Just as you chose to live in one of the most multiethnic metropolises in the world.

[Edited 2007-01-16 02:01:23]

If you need someone to blame / throw a rock in the air / you'll hit someone guilty

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 10):AF, perhaps you simply have a deep-seated insecurity about this sort of thing.

Maybe it's insecurity, but maybe it's legitimate concern that balkanization is a rather dangerous thing. Language is one of the few things that unite people in this country, and if you dispense with it as a sort of societal glue, then the polity is all the weaker.

Quoting LOT767-300ER (Reply 6):So youre saying a store should have something written in English for your convenience when most people in that area would rather have it in their language? Obviously youre not the customer who that store is focusing on if you cant read it.

Nobody cares what you do and how you talk at home, you can even have little Poland if want. However you're still in the United States. Aerospacefan was trying to make the point that much of LA has turned into little Mexico, not just a few stores.

Huge Hispanic population and culture make it feel like you were outside of the U.S.. But many find that this exact culture makes most Americans uncomfortable because it is different. Those who don't speak Spanish can't deal with hearing it all over the city, with language being the number one problem most Americans have with Miami.

I went to Miami and didn't feel like I wasn't in the U.S. It is very obvious that there is a definite Cuban and Latin influence however I really enjoyed the atmosphere over there and the whole Miami culture. Very different from LA where all you see is ghettos and poverty.

Quoting AirWillie6475 (Reply 15):Aerospacefan was trying to make the point that much of LA has turned into little Mexico, not just a few stores.

Los Angeles has many areas where stores with languages other than English are present, not just Spanish. And for the record, Los Angeles is a Spanish named city as well as MANY streets and areas in California and the Southwest due to that area being yes, part of Mexico and before that Spain.

It never turned into "Little Mexico", It has always had that culture even before the Yankees came in. It just increased even more.

Quoting AirWillie6475 (Reply 15):Nobody cares what you do and how you talk at home, you can even have little Poland if want. However you're still in the United States. Aerospacefan was trying to make the point that much of LA has turned into little Mexico, not just a few stores.

The United States does not have an official language.

Neither does it have laws for ordering private businesses to label anything in English.

Maybe we should change the name of Los Angeles also? While we are at it lets change San Diego and San Francisco...oh wait you see the trend there in names...wonder why they are not English based...lets ponder a moment more and see just where that influence came from and in what age. Yes thats right, an age way before Americans acquired CA.

If you dont like it then try to change it by suggesting such a law and pushing your representative from the House to vote yes for the new immigration bill which would label English the official language, until then stop bitching about nothing and learn another language...something thats as hard for an Anglo-Saxon American to do as acquiring a passport.

Hey, I'm trying my best but Japanese wasn't offered in my high school. I took four years of Spanish instead. It's a lot harder to learn as an adult - someone decided to make all of the grammar backwards!

If you need someone to blame / throw a rock in the air / you'll hit someone guilty

Quoting LOT767-300ER (Reply 18):Maybe we should change the name of Los Angeles also? While we are at it lets change San Diego and San Francisco...oh wait you see the trend there in names...wonder why they are not English based...lets ponder a moment more and see just where that influence came from and in what age. Yes thats right, an age way before Americans acquired CA.

You're saying people have the right to come over here, most illegaly, and change our ways so they don't have to assimilate because a couple of names are in Spanish?

Quoting Kaddyuk (Reply 5):Thats if you're honestly care what they sell, and if you dont... Then it shouldnt matter WHAT language the store name is written in...

Lets be honest, would you avoid shopping at Wall-Mart if it was written in greek?

It's "Wal" not "Wall" (only one l), just for future reference, named after Sam Walton, the founder.
But don't be ridiculous. If the name of a restuarant or store was written in Greek, I would know they most likely sell Greek food or Greek products. But if the menu was also in Greek, I wouldn't have a clue as to what I'm ordering.

Quoting LOT767-300ER (Reply 18):Maybe we should change the name of Los Angeles also? While we are at it lets change San Diego and San Francisco

Quoting AirWillie6475 (Reply 15):I went to Miami and didn't feel like I wasn't in the U.S. It is very obvious that there is a definite Cuban and Latin influence however I really enjoyed the atmosphere over there and the whole Miami culture.

No different than being in Hawaii from the culture standpoint, though most of the locals do speak English.

Quoting AirWillie6475 (Reply 21):You're saying people have the right to come over here, most illegaly, and change our ways so they don't have to assimilate because a couple of names are in Spanish?

I think what he's saying is that the people who live in states like CA, FL, TX, etc. live in areas once controlled by Spain and Mexico before being cotrolled by the United States, hence the reason for Mexican culture having influence in the area.

On this subject, I will say this though: Don't come to my country and expect me to learn your language. You came here. My same philosophy applies for Americans going to other countries. Don't get pissed at locals who don't know English. I get amused when teams on the Amazing Race get pissed because they cant find someone who speaks knows English. Ummm, you're in their country genius.

Whats wow about this? There is no federal law that says this. Heres a good one, the official language of New Mexico is English and Spanish.

Grow up, you're 16-20 and you dont know squat about what it means to learn a different language from the start and be dropped in a different culture not knowing a word. I came to the USA in 93' when I was 8 years old not even knowing how to say Hello and scored a 36 on the English comprehension part of that joke of a test called the ACT. Stupid statements like "I dont think its right to see a storefront in a different language" only come out of people who have never been outside of their suburb. Quit moaning because globalization has not been going on since yesterday.

Quoting AerospaceFan (Reply 20):I appreciate the comments in this thread; I think it is important to balance concerns for integration with due regard for diversity.

Special recognition is offered to the contribution of AirWillie6475, which is much appreciated.

You two have nothing to do with integration but everything to do with insecurity and some bullshit dream that you think everyone must adjust their signs to English because you cant buy a carpet from a Turkish guy.

No one is asking you to speak Spanish in any official government place so I dont see what the fuss is. If you have a problem with illegal immigration thats fine, but a sign in Spanish has nothing to do with that. Plenty of signs in Chicago's Greektown but I hardly think there are alot of illegal immigrants from Greece there...if any.